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"Cost is not a predominant factor to be balanced against the requirement of promoting safety; given its removal from the amended primary legislation, 'reasonable cost' is now a factor of subordinate importance," the decision said.

The ruling also orders the Civil Aviation Authority and Wellington Airport to pay legal costs to the New Zealand Airline Pilots' Association.

NZALPA president Tim Robinson said they were "delighted", with the ruling "vindicating" their decision to pursue the issue through the courts.

"Runway safety areas have been a huge mitigating factor in quite a number of aviation accidents, specifically those that involve aircraft over-run off the end of a runway.

"The longer the runway safety area, the more chance of a survivable incident.